Bali Indigenous Film festival – 10 to 12 May
This marks the second year we get to enjoy this very special film event which brings filmmakers from 14 different countries with a selection of some 40 films and documentaries to be savoured over the 3-day stretch. The films with a theme of Stories That Matter cover a variety of topics including indigenous wisdom, connection with nature, solution focussed alternatives, land rights issues, success stories, forest preservation, and use of technology to support indigenous interests. This festival will undoubtedly raise our knowledge about the indigenous cultures of Indonesia and beyond. It also gives us the exciting opportunity to meet several of the filmmakers as they will be available for Q&A and discussion after the screenings. Seating is limited so buy your tickets early. Each ticket sale directly supports, protects and ultimately empowers the indigenous tribes and communities around the world.
When : Friday 10 May through Sunday 12 May from 10am to 11pm
Where : Paradiso, Jl. Goutama, Ubud,
Cost : check at www.indigenousfilmfestbi.com
More info : Facebook and Instagram: @BaliIndigenousFilmFestival
Saraswati Celebrations to Pagerwesi and Waisak – 11 to 18 May
The month of May is heavily dotted with many Balinese religious holy days, starting with Saraswati Day on May 11th and associated celebrations on the following days, culminating with Pagerwesi on the 18th. 11 May marks the beginning of this semi-annual cycle with Saraswati Day in honour of the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning. Saraswati is said to help the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva to create, maintain and regenerate the universe. Banyu Pinaruh follows on the next day, May 12th, and is one of the key events held during Saraswati celebrations in Bali. Banyuh translates to ‘holy waters’ and Pinaruh means ‘knowledge’. Local people regard this as the celebration of the sacred waters of knowledge. It is a cultural ritual that is characterised by a gathering of the locals in the early morning at river banks, a lake shore or at the beach where they take ritual baths to rejuvenate the body. If you want to witness this ritual you can visit Tanah Lot Temple which is a favourite destination for Banyu Pinaruh. May 13th marks the festival of Soma Ribek, a time when Balinese Hindus will show their gratitude for the availability of food on the island and pray to Dewi Sri, the Goddess of prosperity. Since rice is the staple food in Bali, it will be the symbolic offering of choice. Sabuh Mas is a day set aside for the worship of Mahadeva when Balinese ask for blessings and for wealth, showing gratitude for one’s property and earthly possessions like clothing, jewellery, home, cash, gold and silver.
This cycle of sacred days is observed every 210 days, and is part and parcel of the Saraswati celebrations. Various rituals are held at different temples across Bali. The Saraswati festivities culminate on 15 May with the celebration of Pagerwesi, whose literal meaning is iron fence and is dedicated to the practice of strengthening the mind and soul against evil forces. This is closely followed by the celebration of Waisak on the 18th of May. Also referred to as Vesak Day, it is the holiest day on the Buddhist calendar and a national holiday observed by locals in both Bali and Indonesia as a way to honour and celebrate Buddha.
Mother’s Day Brunch Charity Event – 12 May
Bridges in Ubud is continuing its annual cherished tradition of hosting a Mother’s Day celebration to honour Ibu Robin Lim’s Foundation Bumi Sehat. This time they will also support Bapak Kadek Siwa Ambara’s Yayasan Taman Permata Hati Bali Orphan Day Center. Yayasan Bumi Sehat continues to provide better healthcare for disadvantaged pregnant women and to enable natural births and child care in Bali, Aceh and also elsewhere when natural disasters strike. Yayasan Taman Permata Hati Bali Orphan Day Center was founded in 1995 by Bapak Kadek Siwa Ambara. This non-profit organization is an educational day training centre established to nurture and educate children who have suffered the loss of one or both parents. Bridges Bali is proud to host both organisations for this charity brunch event. To maximize donations, there will be a raffle with interesting and very attractive prizes. Of the proceeds, 50% of the profit from brunch sales, 50% of the profit from Dinner Tasting Menu sales and 100% of raffle ticket sales will be donated to the organisations.
When : Sunday 12 May from 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where : Bridges, Jalan Raya Campuhan, Ubud
Cost : IDR 380K PP++ | 12 and under, IDR 195K PP++
More info : www.bridgesbali.com; Tel. +62(0) 361 970095
World Surf League Championship Tour – 13 and 14 May
Bali is hosting a major surfing event for the fourth time and internationally famous surfers from a number of countries are expected to attend. Previous events were held in Bali in 2008, 2013, and 2018. For year’s event Keramas Beach was selected as the location for the WSL World Championship Tour 2019 because of the local wave conditions, the supporting infrastructure, and the beach, all factors that will undoubtedly enhance the international reputation of Bali as a surfer’s haven. For more information about the event and its participants, check https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2019/mct/2912/corona-bali-protected
By Ines Wynn
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